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“The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.” ~ William C. Bryant 

 

A small downy woodpecker works diligently on a suet cake this February morning as chickadees and nuthatches keep busy at the feeders.

Time flies. It was just a few short weeks ago I wrote these words in a January  column: “if you get the chance to spend time with loved ones—friends or family—do it. Treasure every moment. Don’t be in a huge rush to play with your cell phone or jump up and leave. It may be the last time you see them—nothing can be taken for granted these days. The gift of time is the most precious gift of all—the present.” 

In another column further back (10/2020), I’d written about the delight of a rabbit gum made for me by Chuck Corne; he and René couldn’t wait to spring the surprise! You see, rabbit gums go way back in my memories, a long, long time, and it was just one of the most meaningful things anyone’s ever made for me. 

Chuck used old wood and nailed that box together one day after we’d had some laughs over such things, remembering Spam, and telling dog stories. I always told him his Good Dog and hunting stories would be perfect in Garden & Gun magazine. On Christmas, there was trout jerky and a can of Spam earmarked for Chuck tucked in their gift basket from me. None of us who gathered for Christmas dinner that night could have known it’d be his last. 

One morning, he’s not here to laugh with, or share tales with. A sudden intestinal blockage from scar tissue did that, just out of the blue. 

Somehow, I just know he’s taken off loping across endless gold-grass fields under summer skies—skies he flew as a pilot, joyful dogs dancing and bounding beside him…a can of Spam tucked in his pack as they head off on a new adventure. 

Saluda Community Land Trust (SCLT) is busy year-round with land  conservation, trails, projects and more: visit saludaclt.org or call 828-749-1560 to learn more. You can support SCLT with donations, volunteering, and through Amazon Smile. Contact “Trail Boss” Chuck Hearon at chearon1942@gmail.com about ideas or willingness to lead a hike, or helping clear trails. A big thank-you to 20 SCLT volunteers who donated over 1250  hours of trail work in 2021! 

Saluda Winter Market is every other Saturday through March at Saluda Center, 64 Greenville Street from 9-12, featuring local vendors with fresh produce, baked goods, and more. 

Saluda Historic Depot is closed this February. 

Veterans living in the greater Saluda community are invited to breakfast at Saluda Fire Department on Greenville Street, February 9 at 9 a.m. Frank McNutt and Owen Miller will host; for more information or to be added to contact list, call Owen at (828) 749-0648. 

Volunteers needed! Saluda’s Meals on Wheels needs you—contact Gail Dyer at The Meeting Place (828) 894-0001 ext. 132 or email  at gdyer@polknc.org. 

Saluda Pop-Up Pantry is Tuesday from 1-6 at Saluda Presbyterian Church, 54 Carolina Avenue (behind Saluda Library). Masks/safety precautions taken. To volunteer, call Saluda Church of the Transfiguration, 828-749-9740. You can mail tax-deductible donations to Saluda Pop-Up Pantry, P.O. Box 428, Saluda, NC 28773 or donate online at www.saludapantrycom   

Tickets are available for the Saluda Senior Center Fundraiser Gala scheduled for March 20 6-9 p.m. Contact Louisa Williamson at (803) 707-8747 or Marti Wells (828) 749-9538. 

Happy 141th Birthday to Saluda! 

Happy February Birthday to: Wylie Rauschenbach, Wesley Pace, Ginny Jones, Jenna Igoe, Suzanne Igoe, Pam Thompson, Catherine Raymond, Eva McCray, Ellen Rogers, Margaret Miller, Paul London, Ward Sandahl, Bill Klippel, Pat Bares, Dwight Smith, Ingrid Sandahl, Fred Baisden, Duane Bateman, Ragan Thompson, Laura Williams, Susan McMasters, Mark Gardner, Cappy Rearick, Linda Seagroves,  Irmy Chmielewski, and Edie Campbell. 

Best quote of the day: “We need to help one another. What do you need help with? Perhaps I or someone else in this community can help you.”Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com